Socializing Messages in Blue-Collar Families: Communicative Pathways to Social Mobility and Reproduction

Abstract

This study explicitly links processes of anticipatory socialization to social mobility and reproduction. An examination of the socializing messages exchanged between blue-collar parents (n = 41) and their children (n = 25) demonstrate that family-based messages about work and career seldom occur in straightforward, unambiguous ways. Instead, messages take several paths (direct, indirect, ambient, and omission). Further, the content of messages communicated along these paths often is contradictory. That is, sons and daughters receive messages that both encourage and discourage social mobility. Ultimately, these individuals must negotiate the meanings of family-based anticipatory socialization communicated to them through a mix of messages.

Keywords:

• Anticipatory Socialization
• Social Class
• Social Mobility
• Social Reproduction

Notes

“Blue-collar” is a designation for skilled, semiskilled, and unskilled industrial work and/or workers whose jobs are centered on physical labor of some sort. Blue-collar workers' wages can range from minimum wage for unskilled labor (e.g., cleaning, basic assembly) to sizable salaries for skilled work (e.g., welders, plumbers). Based on socioeconomic status alone, many blue-collar workers fit into a middle-class designation. However, conceiving of class in terms of capital–worker relationships (Zweig, 2000), the stability of access to resources over time (Perrucci & Wysong, 2003), or as a set of shared cultural values (Kaufman, 2003), blue-collar work is most closely (albeit not perfectly) aligned with a working-class designation.

More than a quarter of the primary participants in this study have previous military experience. Although this rate is high, it is representative of community population as a whole. The military is seen as a viable and desirable option for both vocational training and access to higher education.

Working in underground iron ore mines was an extremely dirty job. Similar to coal miners who are covered in black soot after their shifts are over, iron ore miners are covered in a rust-colored dust called “red dust” by locals. This dust permeated their clothes, was absorbed by their skin (despite harsh scrubbing with abrasive soaps after work), and was breathed into their lungs. Frank's father did not have to tell his son it was a dirty job. Seeing the red dust coming out of his nose after every shift was message enough.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kristen Lucas

Kristen Lucas (PhD, Purdue University) is Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.